Kings of Candyland: A Novel

by Tony Ginocchio

People who move to Los Angeles to “make it” are usually aspiring actors or writers trying to find their voice, navigate an unforgiving industry, and build a following of fans. The low-level sales grunts at Zeldt Pharmaceuticals and Confectionery, however, have moved to L.A. to do those same things in a corporate setting that’s possibly even more impersonal and absurd. And then there’s David Wnek, who’s trying to make it in both worlds and convince his girlfriend to come along for the ride. In this sprawling novel, Tony Ginocchio provides a hilarious and heartbreaking look at our relationship to work, and how it warps our relationship to each other.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2017

Reviews

[Jess Hagemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never had an office job like the one these characters have, but the author’s description of office relationships, politics, and HR in particular rings so true that I didn’t question a single scene, and even appreciated this sociological study of corporate America—mostly because Tony is so dang funny. His background in improv means that every line reads like it’s straight out of a bit piece on stage: concise, pithy, and witty (or sometimes scathing, when it needs to be). The world of candy sales comes to a dramatic head and a satisfying conclusion thanks to expert story development. All of the clues you need are sprinkled subtly throughout, such that by the end, you understand exactly how and why the climax could occur, and you genuinely care about the lives of those affected by the (sometimes horrific, sometimes hilarious) fallout. Oh—and for anyone new to ulcerative colitis, or whose loved one must battle the disease, CANDYLAND is the ultimate sensitive-but-still-funny user’s manual.